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Three Down: One to Go!

                                                Yamamoto started this one against Luis Quintana.  Shohei led off the game with a shot deep to RF, LA up 1-0. Yamamoto got Lindor to leadoff the Mets half, but then Vientos unloaded on one of his pitches deep to right center. He got the next two hitters to end the inning.  The Dodgers got a walk to Muncy with one out, Smith hit into a force play and Pages hit into a force play to end the inning. In the bottom of the second, Yoshi struck out the first two hitters and then gave up a single to Iglesias. Bader struck out to end the inning. 

                                             Top of the third, Taylor lined out and Ohtani walked. Betts singled to left. Teo struck out and then Edman doubled to left scoring Mookie and Ohtani. Kike singled and Muncy walked, loading the bases with 2 outs. Smith then popped out. In the bottom of the third, Alvarez and Lindor singled. Vientos struck out. Alonso walked loading the bases. Nimmo hit a grounder to Taylor who relayed to Edman for one out and on to first for what was first called a double play. Call was reversed and a run scored. 3-2. Marte grounded into a force out to end the inning. 

                                          Top of the fourth, Pages lined out and Taylor got an infield single. Ohtani walked and Betts doubled to left scoring Taylor and Ohtani. Teo flew out and Edman was called out on strikes. Bottom of the fourth Yamamoto got the Mets down in order. LA fifth, A Muncy walk was the only base runner. Bottom of the fifth, Yoshi hit Alvarez, then he struck out Lindor. Phillips replaced Yoshi. He struck out Vientos and got Alonso to ground into a force play. 

                                             Taylor flied out. Ohtani walked and Betts homered deep to left. LA 7-2. Teo walked and Edman grounded into a force play Kike struck out. Phillips loaded the bases allowing singles to Nimmo and Marte and then he walked JD Martinez.  He then struck out Iglesias and got PH Jeff McNeil to fly out to short CF. Banda replaced Phillips. Winker PH for Alvarez and flied out to right. 

                                            LA seventh, Muncy, who set an MLB record of 11 straight appearances in a postseason getting on base, and Max singled, extending the streak to 12.  Smith struck out and Pages was hit by a pitch. Taylor struck out. Ohtani up for the fifth time in the game. Young replaced Maton as the Mets pitcher. Ohtani grounded out to end the inning.

                                            Mets seventh inning Lindor led off with a single against the new Dodger pitcher, Blake Treinen. Vientos hit into a force play. Alonso struck out. Nimmo singled Vientos to third and then Marte flew out to right. In the top of the eighth, Betts singled, his 4th hit of the game. Teo walked and Kiermaier ran for him. Edman then doubled down the line scoring Betts and Kiermaier. Kike singled to send Edman to third. Smith then singled scoring Edman after Muncy struck out. Pages flew out for the second out. Taylor walked loading the bases. Ohtani stuck out. 

                                           Henriquez in to pitch. He walked Martinez to start the inning.  Iglesias popped out to Muncy.  Taylor grounded into a force out. Taylor went to second on defensive indifference. Torrens popped out to Taylor. Betts led off the Dodger ninth against Young.  Betts grounded out to second. Kiermaier, batting in Teos spot then struck out. Edman grounded out to Young to end the inning. 

                                            In the bottom of the 9th, Henriquez still pitching.  Lindor struck out. Vientos singled to center. Alonso then singled to center. Nimmo hit into a force play, Muncy to Edman at second for the second out. Marte popped out to Muncy to end the game.  Phillips got the win, 10-2. Quintana took the loss. LA had 12 hits and drew 9 walks. They struck out 11 times. They were 6-15 with RISP and left 10 men on base. Betts was 4-6 with 4 RBIs. Tommy Edman drove in 3 and is hitting .324 in the post season. 

Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear

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OhioDodger

Dodgers in the drivers seat.

Mookie was sweet. Always smiled for the people he meets.

Last edited 1 month ago by OhioDodger
Scott Andes

One more! 5 more wins.

Cassidy

And then we blow it up?

Scott Andes

Ha ha ha I already admitted I was wrong on that. No need to rub it in. Were on the same team.

Jeff

All going according to the plan. WS, no sweat.

What’s happened to Teo?

Old Bear 48

He is a whiff machine again. Chasing pitches he cannot hit. 7 Ks in 14 at bats. 4 walks.

Wayne

I’m glad the Dodgers held Freeman out of the line-up. From here on out, Freddie may have to play a maximum of 10 more games, and who knows how much longer he can keep playing injured. He and the Dodgers are taking an awfully big risk with the long-term health of his severely sprained ankle and/or any other parts of his body.

Keith

It was tough watching Nimmo running on that Plantar Fasciitis he wouldn’t even run on the infield when he was going in and out to his position, trying to stay on the grass where it’s a little softer. I’ve had it myself at one time it feels like someone is jabbing a knife into the bottom of your foot. I’m sure Freddie is hurting just as bad, it’s amazing what these guys are willing to go through so they don’t let their team mates down. I have a ton of respect for those two guys at this moment.

Keith

Maybe being up 3-1 they can afford to give Freddie another day off.

Wayne

They should consider it.

Jimbo

I think they should. If they win he can rest it until the series starts. If they lose today, he will have been able to rest it for 3 days before game 6.

Rodgerdodger

No doubt why play him at all? Put that thing on ice.

Phil Jones

I suspect that decision will be 90% Freeman and 10% Doc and the trainers. I’m betting on Freeman, for better or worse.
The brass ring is to play in the WS. That’s what these guys play for and it doesn’t happen often. So it will take a more debilitation injury to keep them out. They will play through pain for this opportunity.

Jeff Dominique

Freddie is currently in the lineup, batting 4th. Lux is out of the starting lineup. Shohei, Freddie, and Max are the only LH bats in the lineup.

Phil Jones

Not surprising Jeff D.

Wayne

The Mets appear outclassed because the Dodgers superior analytics and scouting staff have seemingly dotted every i, and crossed every t in preparing the players for this series. The Dodger pitchers have (mostly) owned the Mets ..so far.

Last edited 1 month ago by Wayne
dodgerram

Going up 3-1 is HUUUUGeeeeee!!!
Opens up a lot of options for the Dodgers now.
Go with Flaherty in Game 6 trying to end it right there ? Give him some extra rest for a potential Game 6`?
Personally I would go with Flaherty.

Also can decide to rest FF in Game 5 and if you still win that game he would have had almost a full week off before the WS starts.

Roberts managed the game very very well again. I din not like him taking out Yoshi in the 5th after he retired Lindor but the results say Doc made all the right moves.
So kudos to him.

With Henriquez giving 2 innings the bullpen should be in excellent shape for todays game. Everyone but Treinen , Philllipps and Henriquez should be available.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fallito

Doc is managing trying to negate the Mets offense avalanche. Vientos already homered against Yoshi. It was the roght move.

Badger

You know I don’t like our best relievers going back to back games. Phillips with 1.1 innings and 34 pitches, Treinen with 1.1 innings 23 pitches. I would sit them unless a short inning, 1 or 2 outs, is needed in emergency. Ideally Flaherty goes 6 and we finish with Banda, Brasier, and Kopech. Actually I hope we finish Kiké.

Teo is hitting .188, but OPS’ing .725. Betts now OPS’ing .964, Muncy 1.117, Ohtani .895. Smith .539. Pages and Taylor .282, .384.

The Dodgers are rolling. The way my baseball coach buddy in Oklahoma put it “the game is now flowing out of the ground up through the Dodgers feet and out through their fingertips. Unselfconscious performance is beautiful indeed.” He also called Betts Mookie Mantle.

Last edited 1 month ago by Badger
Cassidy

Well, I hope we finish with Casparius, because you know what that means!

Jimbo

I agree with you that hopefully Treinen and Phillips won’t be needed today. Kopech and Hudson not having to pitch yesterday helps with that I think. I do think the coaches have done a good job of limiting how many times the Mets hitters see the same reliever.

Bobby

So World Series game 1 is scheduled for Friday, Oct 25, UNLESS both ALCS and NLCS finish by tomorrow.

If the Dodgers end it today, and the Yankees win today and tomorrow, then the World Series will be moved up to Tuesday, Oct 22.

For Freddie’s sake, it’d be nice to get him a full week off before Game 1.

TennisMenace (TM)

Thank you MOOKIE…I have no problem eating some crow today. Yes, I’ve been reminding everyone here how un-clutch you are in October. I am very glad to see that last night was not one of those nights. Keep it up….we still have five more wins to have.

Jeff Dominique

My favorite walk up music has become Franciso Lindor’s, the Tempatations “My Girl”. The Temptations will be doing the National Anthem before Game 5. The crowd is going to go crazy.

Charlie Blackmon’s “Your Love” by The Outfield was my favorite before I heard Lindor’s.

My favorite LAD walk up song is “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey. I also like Gavin Stone’s “Photograph” by Def Leopard.

I think there may be two or three others that I have ever heard of. I actually have Emmet Sheehan’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash on my phone.

And you just knew that Dustin May would have a Rage Against the Machine song…”Born of a Broken Man”.

Badger

Man that’s some detail. I didn’t know any ot that. And I’ll probably forget it all by this afternoon.

tedraymond

Before commenting on the Dodger game, how about the Cleveland v. New York game? The last three innings were an emotional rollercoaster for both teams. I caught Judge’s HR to tie it and then Stanton’s to take the lead. I figured the Indians would be so down that the game was over at that point. So, I left the game. Uh, a dumb mistake! I didn’t know that that the Indians had tied in the ninth and won it in the tenth until it was mentioned later in the Dodger game. Wow!! One of the most memorable comebacks and wins in postseason history.

On to the Dodgers victory. Not nearly as dramatic. This team is dominating the opposition right now. Our awful starters are exceeding my expectations and giving the team 4-6 innings of sensational results. They are keeping the games close, giving the offense a chance to eventually grind down the other team’s starters, and then beating up on the Mets’ bullpen. Whereas, the San Diego relievers were a strength, the Mets’ pitching strength is with their starting pitching and not their bullpen.

The offense is showing up from different spots in the lineup each game. So, far the consistency has been with Muncy, Edman, Kiki, and now Mookie. Will and Teoscar have been very quiet so far. Teoscar help the team win in San Diego and Will has been doing an amazing job with the pitching staff. The way things have evolved, look for them to get on track soon (World Series maybe?).

The emphasis by our hitters is patience. I felt that Quintana would not be successful against the Dodgers. His strategy is to make pitches that start out as strikes to the batter. The batter swings at the apparent strike that is now outside the strike zone and misses the pitch. With the Dodgers consistent capability of not chasing pitches and forcing Quintana to throw strikes, they were able to make him throw a lot of pitches. Which lead to walks, putting balls in play, and scoring runs. Gone are the one or two innings of scoring and nothing else. A run or two throughout the game. Which is fun for the fans and the team.

Finally, Roberts is drawing inside straights game after game. Everything his gut is telling him seems to be working right now. In the past his use of the pitching staff has been questioned by me and others. I would say strongly questioned. That is not the case in this postseason so far. With the starters innings pretty much predetermined before the game it makes the starters removal a non issue. Which relievers to use and their order of use has probably been hashed out by the FO, Roberts, and the coaches. All this has to make Roberts’ decisions much less stressful. Kudos to Dave Roberts!

Bottom line is that the entire organization is contributing to this current success.
The front office, manager, coaches, and certainly the players. It’s been a blast to watch so far. Let’s hope for good health for the remaining postseason. I feel it’s the only thing that could derail this team from a World Series victory!

Carry on.

Last edited 1 month ago by tedraymond
Wally Moonshot

Speaking of fun, it’s been a lot of fun watching the resurgence of Max Muncy. I love how he’s being selective and making the pitcher throw strikes. And getting on base in 12 straight at bats — who saw that coming….

Make Mine Blue

I guess I did (and called it previously). Max stopped chasing and made them pitch in the zone, either getting a walk or hammering a mistake. Right now Max is really on his game, it’s even affecting his glove, he’s been pretty damn solid at 3B and 1B.

Bravo Max.

I guess I have shamed Mookie enough and can remove his Mr. August moniker.

However, I will not remove Mr. Fuggin October moniker from Kiki.
Bravo Mr. October, you got it lit in SD and have continued as we went to the Least Coast. You da man, Mr. October.

Cassidy

So far the strategy has been to bring in our best relievers early and don’t let the Mets get any mid game momentum. Then add tack on runs against their weak mid game relievers. Working to perfection

Last edited 1 month ago by Cassidy
tedraymond

This is a great point Cassidy. The bullpen has been used in an unusual way because of the uncertainty with the starting pitching. It’s cool that the relievers have accepted this and have been effective. An example was when Kopech came in the fifth inning to face the top of the order. It’s worked out that the Dodgers have scored and had large leads going into the 8-9th inning. This has allowed them to use Casparius and Henriquez to mop up and save others in the BP. And they get them both some MLB and playoff experience.

Almost everything is going the Dodgers way. Not just being lucky, but being more talented, disciplined, and strategic.

Last edited 1 month ago by tedraymond
Phil Jones

Good post Ted.
The Yankee – Guardians game was the best game of the playoffs so far. Judge and Stanton go back-to-back, off Clase, in the 8th to lead 4-3. Yankees score 1 in the 9th with a walk and sac fly by Torres. Bottom 9, after, a Lane Thomas double, Noel (Big Christmas) hits a game tying homer with 2 outs, off Weaver. Tie game. Avila gets the Yankees out top 10 after 2 walks. Bottom 10, Bo Naylor singled and was sac bunted nicely to 2nd. With 2 outs David Fry hit a walk-off home to win 7-5, off of Clay Holmes. Both Weaver and Holmes blew saves. Awesome game.
2 unlikely hitting stars for the Indians, opps.
The Mets and their crowd like dead in the end. I’d like to keep them there but as we all know, you’re only as good as tomorrow’s pitcher. David Has appeared in 4 games this postseason allowing 8 hits and 2 earned runs. while striking out 5 in 8.2 innings. We all know Flaherty won the NLCS opener with 7 strong innings w/ 2 hits and 6 K’s. The Mets are obvious desperation mode and I wouldn’t be surprised that we win this thing in LA.

Rodgerdodger

Honestly the Dodgers are just more talented. And mentally stronger. The starting pitching knows it is go time and The Mets are buckling. They are just better.

The Padres were a threat and not afraid. Until they got the lead. Then buckled.

The Dodgers have been there for years and it is obvious. But for them to do this with Will Smith and Teo disappearing and Freddie on the bench is just someone being purely outclassed. I’m really impressed with all of it.

Jeff Dominique

LHP David Peterson will be the SP for NYM in Game 5. Peterson pitched 2.1 innings in NLCS Game 1.  4 hits, 1 BB, 3 runs (2 earned), 40 pitches. This was the first time Peterson was scored on in the playoffs. 

“He (Jack Flaherty) gives us the best chance to win tomorrow,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday night at Citi Field. “We’ll have our full slew of guys behind him, and there’s a sense of urgency to win this game tomorrow.”

While it would not be ideal if either Phillips or Treinen are needed, both will be available to finish off an inning, per Dave Roberts. The Dodgers want to win this in NY today.

Both teams left 12 runners on base in Game 4. The Dodgers were 6-15 RISP (.400), and NYM was 0-10. For the series, LAD is 16-48 wRISP (.333) and NYM is 4-29 (.138).

After reaching base 12 consecutive PA, Max apparently got tired of walking and swung at a pitch 3’feet outside and low for strike three. 

The Dodgers have scored 30 runs in 4 games with little help from Teoscar Hernández. That will change. Maybe today against LHP Peterson. Although Teo does have 6 walks in 20 PA (.300 OBP).

The Dodgers have Shohei, Freddie, and Max as the left hand bats in the starting lineup. The Dodgers will have 2 LH bats (Lux, and Kiermaier) and 2 RH bats (CT3 and Barnes) on the bench to start the game. Peterson is not a tough overpowering LHP, and the Mets have one other LHRP (Danny Young), who is probably not available today after going 2.1 IP yesterday. I get the feeling that NYM will be looking for length from Peterson today. 

NYM is replacing JDM with LH hitter Jesse Winker, and 2B Jose Iglesias with LH hitter Jeff McNeil. 

I am looking for Jack Flaherty to bring the Dodgers home as the NL Pennant winner after today.

Old Bear 48

Lineups are out, Ohtani, Betts, Teo, Freeman, Edman, Kike, Muncy, Smith, Pages. Mets are pitching Peterson.

Cassidy

I think right now our lineup is better suited against lefties with Edman hitting from the right side and Pages over Lux in the lineup

Jeff Dominique

I am holding out for Jack Flaherty.

Badger

How’s that working out for you.

Bumsrap

I don’t recall whether Pages has a hit yet

Eric

2 hits

Wayne

Good point Cassidy, that’s exactly what I think the Dodgers are thinking too.

Last edited 1 month ago by Wayne
Bluto

In the playoffs:

Team vs RHP
.753

Team vs. LHP
.742

Old Bear 48

Jake Cave, Peter Lambert and Dakota Hudson all declared for free agency after passing through waivers. Rockies down to 38 on the 40 man roster.

Eric

ONLY 5.1

Eric

One of the things that bugs me about Doc is when there’s a day off the next day, he won’t go to his good relievers early in the game when the starter is having trouble. What they can’t pitch again on one day rest? Stupid.

Fallito

I am switching to FOX Deportes, I got enough of those clowns!

tedraymond

So, most of us are watching the game (3rd) right now. I assume you are as well Eric. And this is what you are upset about. Give an example in this series where it might have been necessary for a pitcher to make back to back appearance and was unable to.

Maybe I’m missing your point.

Eric

There’s a day off tomorrow.

Eric

And that’s what I mean. Now it’s 5-1.

Make that 6-1

Make that 7-1

Make that 8-1

Doc blew game 2 and it looks like he MIGHT/PROBABLY do it again today.

if the Dodgers lose this series, the finger should be pointed straight at Doc.

Last edited 1 month ago by Eric
Bluto

I can’t tell if Eric is serious or joking.

Bluto

I think that’s true so help me out, are you serious?

If so, what point are you making?

That the Dodgers are bereft of starters?
Or
That the Dodgers should employ a time-machine so they know if a starter is going to have trouble and avoid it?
Or
Something else?

If you are joking, I agree it’s a tough situation for Roberts.

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
OhioDodger

Take a guess. Maybe you will get lucky.

Last edited 1 month ago by OhioDodger
Bluto

It’s like a no-win. If he’s joking it’s a bad joke, if he’s serious it’s a unfathomable point.

I hate both!

OhioDodger

Good point.

Norcaldodgerfan

Teo has looked like dog crap this series. Set up for a big hit to win the game?

Cassidy

Flaherty is throwing like he’s ready to go on the IL. A lot of Knack and Casparius tonight. See you Sunday

Keith

Oh man not what I expected from Flaherty, it’s almost like they know what the pitch is before it’s thrown

Last edited 1 month ago by Keith
Badger

They might let him throw 100 pitches today.

Norcaldodgerfan

A true dog shit performance from Flaherty. Disappointing.

Bobby

it’ll be a week. Since we beat SD in game 5 at home

Bobby

Please no deja vu. We lost game 6 at home in 1988 before winning game 7.

OhioDodger

I’ll take it.

Keith

Maybe we can get to their bull pen

Norcaldodgerfan

Wow, right now I’m back over 60 years ago where I can hear my little league coach say “3-2 count guard the plate, swing at anything close, never have a strikeout looking.”

WTF was Freddie thinking?

Last edited 1 month ago by Norcaldodgerfan
Bluto

That pitch was a ball?

Maybe?

Badger

Looked like it to me. But they didn’t even show it again. This ump has missed several on that side of the plate.

OhioDodger

I guess we are in for another round of “Fire Doc” posts.

Bluto

Gosh I hope not.

People suck.

SandyAmoros

Freeman is selfish shouldnt be playing I guess he gets to do what he wants even if it hurts the team

Bobby

To defend Bear, from and the rest of us on this blog who just like to chat about the Dodgers, there’s no need to be rude to Bear like that.

If you’re frustrated from the Dodger loss today, go do some pushups to get your anger out.

Scott Andes

No reason for name calling. Take that stuff back to Mark’s site. I respect your opinions but do not respect your insults and name calling toward BEAR.
State your options and talk Dodgers but stop calling him stupid. He is anything but stupid. He’s very knowledgeable about the game.

OhioDodger

Heavy sigh. SMH.

norcaldodgerfan

I hope in game #6 Shohei and Mookie continue to rake and we get some offense from Teo and Smith. Neither have barreled up a pitch in the NLCS. Teo is 0-19 in the NLCS and Smith is not much better.

Cassidy

So far our pitching has been wildly inconsistent in each game. All (a bunch) or nothing (literally). What is really worrisome is going forward into the WS with 2 starts from Flaherty. Or according to Eric, we can just pitch our 4 best relievers every game.

Last edited 1 month ago by Cassidy
Bluto

The basic Non-Bluto problem with your thesis, Eric is that there aren’t enough arms for 2.5 bullpen arms.

The Bluto problem is that I think it’s silly to think that a bullpen arm with one days rest will be as effective for the remaining 1.5 bullpen games as one with more than 2 days rest. Do you have any data to support that there’s negligible difference?

After today’s game, Roberts spoke on this. He basically said he has 5 “leverage” arms and innings to work with (I’m guessing he means everyone from the top 6 except Banda?)

And that Casparius and Henriquez weren’t available.

So, needing to cover 7 innings starting in the 3rd was a tough problem to solve given the potential remaining bullpen usage. Roberts said he didn’t feel it would have been responsible to use Phillips or Treinen that early.

It is a doozy of a problem. I understand your frustration, but it’s hard to not understand.

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
Badger

The offense is fine. Had some WRISP issues today, had a bad ump, but 12 earned runs given up. 8 by Flaherty. And he’s our ace?

Hopefully the bullpen game puts them away.

OhioDodger

Well game 5 summary will be simple to write. Flaherty stank.

Wayne

Yup

OhioDodger

Should have started Honeywell and made this the bullpen game. Oh well. Hindsight is 20/20.
Didn’t see a Flaherty meltdown coming.

Last edited 1 month ago by OhioDodger
Wayne

I had reservations with him on less than 4 full days rest.

Last edited 1 month ago by Wayne
Scott Andes

Nothing ever comes easy for the Dodgers as Vin would say.

Please clinch on Sunday Dodgers.

Bobby

Haha. I did predict Dodgers in 5 when it started, but what the hell do I know. I’ll take Dodgers in 6

Scott Andes

I’ll bring some optimism here even though it’s not really my style. It was going to be hard to win all three in NY anyways. The Dodgers still up two games. They play better at home. The high leverage relievers have all been lights out in this series. They’ll get to Manaea. He’s not Sany Koufax

Let’s just win on Sunday and get it over with. Good thoughts.

Last edited 1 month ago by Scott Andes
SandyAmoros

Nice to see Roberts is considering sitting Freeman. Hope that goes for Smith as well.

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